Cheltenham on cards for Bust Out

Rising star Bust Out, who pushed Istabraq so close at Leopardstown on his last run, was today reported to be in 'great form' ahead of a possible tilt at the Smurfit Champion Hurdle.

But the Jessica Harrington-trained six-year-old will tackle the AIG Europe Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown on January 27th before heading for the Cheltenham Festival.

The gelding was a 20-1 shot when beaten just a head by triple champion hurdler Istabraq who turned in what some observers regarded as only a workmanlike performance in the Tote December Festival Hurdle last month.

Jessica Harrington said: 'He`s in great form. He came out of there great. He came on a good bit for that. All being well, he runs in the Irish Champion Hurdle there.'

Asked whether Bust Out could turn the tables on Istabraq at Cheltenham, she said: 'If you`re not there, you can`t do anything about it. I am happy enough with him.

'As far as I intend, he`s going chasing next year so I don`t want to run him too many timesthis year.

'He may as well go (to Cheltenham) and we can have a bit of fun with him.'

She was not expecting Bust Out to start favourite for the AIG Europe race if Limestone Lad and Ned Kelly were in the line-up.

Bust Out is quoted by William Hill at 33-1 for Cheltenham behind 7-4 favourite Istabraq, 3-1 chance Valiramix and 5-1 shot Landing Light.

Meanwhile, Moscow Flyer will head for the Baileys Arkle Perpetual Challenge Cup Novice Chase on the same Leopardstown card.

He is already a leading contender for the Irish Independent Arkle Challenge Trophy at the Festival and is quoted by William Hill as 5-1 co-favourite with Seebald and Barton.

Moscow Flyer claimed a Grade One prize when justifying favouritism and beating Youlneverwalkalone by two lengths in the Denny Gold Medal Novice Chase at Leopardstown last month.

He earlier won the Grade Three Craddockstown Novice Chase at Punchestown in November following a Down Royal success the same month.

'He hopefully goes straight to Cheltenham from the Irish Arkle. He`s in great order,' said Mrs Harrington.

'He had a slight little hiccup the first time he ran when he fell. Other than that, he has been very good.

'He`s won on good to firm, he`s won on soft, he`s won on heavy. He`s one of those horses it doesn`t seem to really matter to him, which is very lucky.'

Asked which horse she would fear the most at Cheltenham, she said: 'You`ve got Seebald, you`ve got Barton and over here you can`t ever rule out Youlneverwalkalone. There`s plenty of opposition, I can assure you.'